Nitrates

[Joe Fish]

I tested for Nitrates again today and there were around 12.5. I know this isn't too bad, but should I be conserned since yesterday I did a 5 gallon water change on my 55? I vaccumed the DSB a little too. Should I maybe do a larger water change? My nitrites and ammonia are 0. Could this maybe be my DSB is too new or can a BakPak 2r skimmer build up nitrates in the camber? I do not have any bio-media in the chamber. Any info would be helpful.

 

[Lorna]

watch your feeding......overfeeding can cause high nitrates. If you took the biobale out of the skimmer that wouldnt cause high nitrates. I think if you do a water change and watch the amount of feeding check your phospates and make sure these are both down to prevent an algae bloom It may take a while for your dsb to become fully active in denitrification.....

 

[Joe Fish]

I don't have a phosphate test kit. I cut back on the amount I feed right now so hopefully that will help. I know they aren't too high, but I just want to stay on top of it and not let it get out of hand.

 

[KahluaZzZ]

got between 5 and 15 for a year or so, then it vanished...but i cheat, i have a load of chaetomorpha to do the job.
With your no3 levels your fishies and snails + hermits are ok.
The fastest and most efficient phos and no3 remover ( absorber ) i used was the polyfilter pad by bio-marine. Priceless.

 

[Joe Fish]

My shrimp seems to be acting just fine always eating, just molted for a 2nd time.